This is an area we have made an international commitment to protect. It should be in Schedule 4 and protected against such activity, but oversight by previous governments has left it unprotected. The only reason to survey is so it can be dug up - something which would breach that commitment and destroy our already shaky international reputation. But National clearly doesn't care about that; all they care about is profits for their donors and cronies.

Again, this is not something we should accept. National should keep its hands off our natural heritage. And it should protect Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand immediately by adding it to Schedule 4.